BILL NUMBER: ACR 18	CHAPTERED  09/14/99

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER   108
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   SEPTEMBER 14, 1999
	ADOPTED IN SENATE   SEPTEMBER 3, 1999
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY   AUGUST 19, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Members Machado and Davis
   (Coauthors:  Assembly Members Cardoza, Longville, and Wayne)

                        FEBRUARY 25, 1999

   Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 18--Relative to California
Veterans Day, 1999.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 18, Machado.  Relative to California Veterans Day, 1999.
   This measure would designate Thursday, November 11, 1999, as
California Veterans Day, 1999.




   WHEREAS, The people of California have a special affinity for, and
are greatly indebted to, the myriad brave men and women in the
United States military who serve and have served to protect and
defend our precious freedom; and
   WHEREAS, All Californians are encouraged to remember the great
debt of gratitude that we as free Californians owe to our veterans;
and
   WHEREAS, Since the days of the American Revolution (1776-1781),
nearly 42,000,000 patriots have taken up arms to defend America and
to guarantee that the blessings of liberty are, indeed, secure; and
   WHEREAS, The significance of November 11 was originally set aside
as Armistice Day in the United States to remember the sacrifices that
men and women made during the First World War (1914-1918) in order
to ensure a lasting peace; and
   WHEREAS, On Armistice Day 1918, soldiers who survived the terrific
onslaught and loss of life brought on by "The Great War," as it was
often referred to, marched in parades through their hometowns and
were treated to great victory speeches given by politicians and
veteran officers of the day; and
   WHEREAS, Sixty-one years ago, in 1938, 20 years after World War I
had concluded, the United States Congress voted to make Armistice Day
a legal holiday; and
   WHEREAS, Forty-six years ago, in 1953, the townspeople of Emporia,
Kansas were first attributed to calling the new federal holiday
Veterans Day, in tribute to the town's many servicemen and women
veterans; and
   WHEREAS, Shortly thereafter, a popular movement focused its
attention and efforts upon our nation's capital toward the renaming
of Armistice Day, a legal holiday honoring veterans from World War I,
to more appropriately Veterans Day, a legal holiday specifically
honoring all veterans of the United States Armed Forces; and
   WHEREAS, In recognition of, and gratitude for, the contributions
of those who have served in our Armed Forces, the United States
Congress has designated November 11 of each year as a legal public
holiday (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) to honor America's veterans; and
   WHEREAS, Americans still give thanks for peace on Veterans Day,
often participating in local ceremonies, speeches, town picnics, and
parades; and
   WHEREAS, Each year, on the 11th day of the 11th month, November,
we pause to look back and reflect with pride and profound gratitude
upon the achievements of our nation's veterans; and
   WHEREAS, California has a strong commitment to those who have
served their nation during times of war; and
   WHEREAS, Many structures and monuments have been erected in
observance of the service and great sacrifices of all California's
estimated 3,300,000 veterans (13 percent of the nation's population);
and
   WHEREAS, California's commitment to its veterans must not wane or
be forgotten; and
   WHEREAS, It is appropriate, on this 81st anniversary of the first
Armistice Day, that California's veterans be commemorated for their
heroic efforts in the struggle for democracy; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes California's
veterans for the great service and sacrifices that they have made for
our liberty; and be it further
   Resolved, That all Californians are encouraged to remember the
great debt of gratitude that we as free Californians owe to our
veterans, and that we freely participate in patriotic activities in
our communities; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature hereby designates November 11,
1999, as California Veterans Day, 1999, to promote the recognition
and appreciation of the great service and sacrifices made by
California's veterans in order to secure our liberty.
